Micah's leg burst with pain as he and Shadow Weaver exited the mirror into Thaymor. He felt faint from the pulsing in the wounded ankle, worried he might pass out, but he couldn't stay here for medical care. Someone was bound to recognize Shadow Weaver at some point, and he didn't want her getting into trouble on his behalf. They'd go back to Bright Moon and get proper treatment – both of them.

It wasn't long before whispers began to follow them. "Is that...the king?" "And Shadow Weaver?" "Why is he with her?" "Did he betray the Rebellion?"

Micah squeezed Shadow Weaver's hand; his former teacher had a terse expression on her face as they walked through the crowd of villagers. He wiped sweat off his forehead, breathing heavily as he tried to maintain his gait, but it was so difficult. He could have sworn the mirror broke his ankle clean through, if not for the fact that he could still walk.

"What's wrong?" Shadow Weaver asked quietly. "You must visit the doctor, or you'll ruin your leg."

"I know," Micah replied. "But I can't...I won't let you..."

He stepped on a sharp rock and growled, tipping over. Shadow Weaver caught him before he could fall, setting him on the ground. She stared off into space, still blind; Micah rubbed his forehead. How had she been able to catch him?

Shadow Weaver addressed the crowd. "We need a doctor. Is there anyone skilled in binding up broken limbs?"

Stark silence washed over the crowd. Finally, an aging satyr stepped forward. "You were the one who caused this injury, were you not?"

"Flattered, but no," Shadow Weaver said. "Where is your doctor?"

The mayor looked toward the crowd. "We will not risk one of our own," she said. "But if you will stay where you are, without attempting any of your witchery, we will contact Bright Moon Palace and search for their medical team."

Nell, Micah thought. They'll get Nell out here.

He wanted help for his leg. But even more than that, he wanted help for her. And if anyone could help Shadow Weaver, it was Nell, one of the kindest and gentlest people Micah had ever known.

"But," the mayor said, "I am confused. Why have you traveled with the king this far, without attempting to cause him harm?"

Micah felt like an idiot, sitting there, but he nodded. "I plan to bring her back to Bright Moon." Shadow Weaver's expression became cold, but he continued. "We're going to help her recover from the Spell – that's a promise. Now, please..." he hissed in pain. "Please get Nell's team out here."

The mayor looked surprised for a long moment. But then her expression softened. "Very well," she said. "I will do that now." She walked away from the crowd and entered the town hall while the people stared wide-eyed at Micah and Shadow Weaver.

I made a promise, Micah said. Without her consent.

But he would convince her. He would. One way or another, she had to come home.

✧✧✧

Tears filled Angella's eyes as she read the letter. Tears of happiness, tears of joy. "Moons, he's alive."

Nell read over her shoulder. "In Thaymor," he said softly. "With Alura...damn, your husband is resourceful."

Angella read the note again, feeling as though the ink would bleed just from her eyes scanning the page. It was from Lady Shenenea, the mayor of Thaymor. Oh, Micah...

He was close by, with Shadow Weaver. They'd done it – if they could just get her back to the palace, the war would be over. They could storm the Fright Zone and take captive the remaining leaders, and soon, even Lord Hordak would have to surrender.

Her eyes blurred with tears, and Nell's hand went to her shoulder. She passed a confused expression to him; his eyes were grave. Then he snapped his fingers, bolting the doors shut and pulling down the blinds.

"Nell? What in the name of –"

"Listen," he whispered harshly. "We can't let them know. If they find out Alura's coming here, they'll set up a trap for her. We can't risk the plan getting ruined."

"Are you going to warn Micah?" Angella asked.

"I'm going there to bind up his wound," Nell confirmed. "But we have to be stealthy, or else this plan won't work." He bit his lip. "I just hope I won't get blasted to smithereens going there."

"You really think she'd do that?"

"She's tried to have Micah killed," Nell said. "If that's the case, she'd be downright pissed at me." He clenched his jaw. "I'll leave tomorrow."

"Why tomorrow?"

Nell pinched the bridge of his nose. "There was another attack near the northern border. My team was able to bring them back to our camp, but I don't like this. They're getting closer to Dellanova."

This is bad, Angella agreed. "Right," she said, folding her hands. "Just...please, hurry. This may be our only chance to stop the war."

"I know," Nell said, looking toward the shut blinds. "I know."

❂❂❂

Did you know...

- The decision to make Shadow Weaver's fall slow and gradual, rather than immediately as bad as she was in Season 1, was somewhat controversial among my betas. One of them even stepped down amicably from the role because of it.

Tell me what you think...

- How will Nell react to Shadow Weaver's disfigurements?